Statistical Highlights of the Federal Election Commission Report to the Congress on
the Impact of the National Voter Registration Act 1995-1996

The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) requires the Commission to submit to
Congress a report assessing the impact of the NVRA on the administration of federal
elections during the preceding two year period, and recommending improvements in federal
and State procedures, forms, and other matters. This report is due no later than June 30
of each odd-numbered year.

The figures on these pages are based on survey results from 43 States and the District
of Columbia. Six States are not included because they are exempt from the provisions of
the Act. Vermont is not included because of State constitutional impediments that have
delayed full implementation.

Notes on the Data Elements in the First Table

Data on all States are presented whether or not the State is under the NVRA. The names
of the States exempt from the NVRA are presented in italics.

VAP refers to Voting Age Population. The figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Census
Estimated Voting Age Population based on the November 1996 Current Population Survey.

Registration figures on Idaho, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Vermont,
Wisconsin and Wyoming were obtained from the Voter Registration and Turnout series
produced by the Government Division of the Congressional Research Service at the Library
of Congress with data provided by Election Data Services.

Registration figures on the remaining States were provided by the States themselves and
may be incomplete owing to incomplete local reporting or because of delays in implementing
the NVRA. As a result of this incomplete reporting, the total registration figures for
1996 will in some cases be at variance with 1996 registration figures reported elsewhere
by the FEC and by other authoritative sources.

Registration figures are provided in total registrants as well as in "active"
registrants and "inactive" registrants in States that made such a distinction.
("Inactive " registrants are essentially all those that were, based on
information provided by the Postal Service, mailed a confirmation notice but neither
responded nor offered to vote in the subsequent federal election).